*What’s the one thing that makes any story instantly more engaging?*

**Conflict.**

No one wants to hear a story where everything goes smoothly. That’s not a story–it’s a *report*. What keeps people hooked is *struggle*. A challenge. A moment where things could go *very* wrong.

*Here’s why it works:* Neuroscience shows that when we experience tension in a story, our brain releases **cortisol**, the stress hormone that heightens focus and attention. This is why we can’t look away from a gripping movie or a suspenseful book–we *need* to see how it ends.

**Here’s your challenge today:** Add a moment of conflict to your next story.

For example:
Instead of: *”We had a big goal, worked hard, and succeeded.”*
Try: *”Everything was going great–until it completely fell apart. We had 24 hours to fix it, or the entire project was dead.”*

Or instead of: *”I learned an important lesson about leadership.”*
Try: *”I made a decision that almost ruined everything. Looking back, it was the best mistake I ever made.”*

See the difference? The second versions create *tension*. They make people *lean in*.

*Remember*: No conflict, no story.

So, what challenge will you highlight in your next story?

#Storytelling #Conflict #Engagement #Leadership #PresentationSkills #PublicSpeaking #Neuroscience #Communication #BusinessStorytelling #Inspiration